Institutes and Workshops

NAIS institutes are grounded in best practices in adult learning and provide our members with intensive training and peer networks that will educate and sustain both the individual and the school community.

NAIS is partnering with Gender Spectrum, a national leader in creating gender sensitive and positively responsive environments for all children and teens, for a two-day institute customized for the unique needs of independent schools, students, families, and communities. It will be the gateway to Gender Spectrum’s community of practice and yearlong professional-development program for educational professionals committed to creating more gender-inclusive learning environments with the support of their institutions.

The Diversity Leadership Institute (DLI) is an intensive, week-long, residential program that provides you with the tools to lead and manage change in your school. DLI empowers you with the content, experience, and network you need to lead your school toward becoming an inclusive and transformative learning community.

At this five-day residential program for individuals starting their first or second year of headship, you’ll build a strong peer network and acquire an understanding of the essential tasks of headship. You’ll return to school armed with a toolkit of resources.

The NAIS Equity Design Lab (EDL) employs iterative design, mind science and other research, skill-building, and best and emerging practices. The goal is to develop innovative solutions and models that independent schools can use to address challenges and opportunities related to equity and social justice. The 2019 EDL will focus on grading for equity.

Take your team beyond yearly evaluations and tedious meetings to get to the core of what makes successful school leadership work. NAIS will host the School Leadership Team Experience (SLTE), a special three-day learning experience for independent school leaders this summer. The institute will bring together school teams of 3-5 individuals who hold leadership positions in your school, including the head of school, to focus on collaboration and building leadership capacity to support school improvement. Consult with educational leadership experts as you work through the real and specific challenges and opportunities facing your school.

At whatever stage you are in in your career, the School Leadership Institute (SLI) is a key step in your leadership development. This intensive, three-day, residential program helps you better understand your own leadership style and identify strengths as well as areas for improvement. You'll design an individual professional development plan and develop a strong network of peer leaders from throughout the independent school community.

Held each fall, the NAIS Leadership Through Partnership (LTP) workshop provides your school’s head and board leader(s) the chance to collaborate and strengthen their partnership. Away from busy day-to-day life, they can identify shared goals for their school. Together they learn more about the challenges that their school — and the independent school community — are facing.

All participants are welcome to participate in NAIS programs. NAIS has an institutional commitment to the principles of diversity. In that spirit, NAIS does not discriminate in violation of the law on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, sexual orientation, age, physical challenge, nation of origin, gender, or any other characteristic.

NAIS reserves the right to cancel a workshop if there is insufficient enrollment. In this unlikely event, participants will be notified well in advance of the institute and given a full refund. NAIS, however, cannot be responsible for any financial obligation incurred by participants because of travel cancellations.

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Principles of Good Practice

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The NAIS Principles of Good Practice for member schools define high standards and ethical behavior in key areas of independent school operations. The PGPs reflect the overall dedication to quality education that has always characterized independent schools.